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Homemade Jelly Candy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 132 reviews
  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 60 pieces (about 5 dozen) 1x
  • Category: Confectionery
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This homemade jelly candy recipe yields colorful, sweet, and chewy treats flavored with your choice of Kool-Aid or flavored extracts. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create delightful gummy candies perfect for snacking or gifting. The candies are coated in sugar for a crisp exterior and allowed to set overnight for the perfect bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Gelatin Base

  • 2 – 1 oz. boxes gelatin (8 envelopes)
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 6 cups sugar

Flavoring

  • Unsweetened Kool-Aid packets or flavored extract with food coloring (5 packets or 15 tsp extract and color drops)

Coating

  • 2 cups sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pans: Line three 8×8 oven pans and two bread loaf pans with plastic wrap and spray with vegetable spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Bloom Gelatin: Pour 2 cups of cold water into a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly on top. Stir slightly to incorporate the powder and set aside to bloom.
  3. Make Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add 6 cups of sugar and stir continuously until all sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers.
  4. Add Gelatin: Stir the bloomed gelatin into the boiling sugar syrup until completely dissolved. Bring the mixture back to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes to activate the gelatin.
  5. Cool Mixture: Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 1-2 minutes to avoid melting the flavoring added next.
  6. Divide and Flavor: Divide the gelatin mixture evenly into 5 separate bowls. Add one Kool-Aid packet to each bowl or alternatively, add 3 teaspoons of flavored extract and corresponding food coloring drops (e.g., 5 drops green for lime flavor). Whisk each bowl thoroughly to dissolve and evenly blend.
  7. Set the Candies: Pour each flavored mixture into the prepared pans. Refrigerate overnight to allow the jelly candies to firm up completely.
  8. Coat with Sugar: Place a layer of sugar on parchment paper. Turn out the gelatin sheets onto the sugared parchment, then transfer onto a fresh parchment sheet. Use a pizza cutter to slice the jelly into small square or rectangular shapes.
  9. Dry and Coat Bottoms: Let the cut candies sit uncovered overnight to firm slightly. Coat the bottom sides with sugar then let the candies sit again overnight with the newly coated side facing up to dry properly.
  10. Store: Once fully set and coated, store the jelly candies in airtight bags or containers to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure gelatin is fully dissolved to prevent grainy texture.
  • Use unsweetened Kool-Aid for best flavor and less sweetness.
  • Adjust food coloring drops for deeper or lighter candy color as desired.
  • Allow full refrigeration time for best candy firmness.
  • Use a pizza cutter for clean, uniform cuts.
  • Storage in airtight containers preserves chewiness and flavor.
  • Experiment with flavors to create a colorful candy assortment.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece (approximate)
  • Calories: 35
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 5 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://cookesrecipes.com/homemade-jelly-candy-recipe/